January to be Chelsea make-or-break for Torres

Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou will be away with Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup for at least four weeks.

It means the £50million signing, who has flopped since quitting Liverpool last January, can expect an extended run in the Chelsea first team and a chance to impress boss Andre Villas-Boas.

Torres has got just three league goals in 11 months for Chelsea. He has lost his starting place despite the British record price-tag around his neck — and he is also in danger of missing out on Euro 2012.